Kids love K-Culture, so of course visitors will find an abundance of kid-friendly activities in Korea. From K-POP tours to comic festivals, Visit Korea Year 2023-24 features loads of family fun. Whether you’re into history and culture or thrilling theme parks, this list of kid-friendly activities for Visit Korea will complete any itinerary!
Explore the historical charms and traditions of Jeonju Hanok Village, where more than 800 traditional houses are preserved amidst a modern city. This three-hour daytrip south of Seoul takes you through the modern metropolis of Jeonju to hidden homes filled with historical charms and traditions.
Experience all things K-pop with a full-day Hallyu-themed tour in Seoul. This group tour begins with K-pop idol sightings at the KBS building and ends with a selfie extravaganza at HiKR Ground, one of K-pop’s biggest playgrounds. Enjoy a personalized experience as your guide gives you insider secrets and helps spot some of the most famous stars in Korea.
Explore the best of Jeju Island with a round-trip package from Seoul. This two-night, three-day package is designed for visitors who want to take a quick trip and explore the island’s theme parks, UNESCO sites and restaurants in a short period of time. The package includes air, accommodations and round-trip airport transfers.
Not your ordinary strawberry-picking tour, the Ganghwado Activity and Ginseng/Strawberry Experience Day Tour also lets you ride a rail bike and plunge down the longest luge track in Asia. The fun starts at Ganghwa Seaside Resort, and lunch features dishes with the region’s most famous spice, ginseng.
Explore the highlights of Nami Island and Seoul Central Mosque during this fully halal day tour. Preparations are made in advance to ensure prayer times are followed and meal requirements are met.
*Tours are available in English, Chinese and Korean. The tour is suitable for all ages and lasts 11 to 13.5 hours.
Discover the famous attractions of Gyeongju, the city of history during this culture and history day tour from Busan. Hear stories told by a professional guide as you visit UNESCO sites, honok houses and a Korean palace. The tour takes visitors through Bulguksa Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and Gyochon Village, where guests can see traditional homes and dine in exceptional Korean restaurants. Tombs of kings and queens are on display in Daereungwon, and Anapji Pond is the home of a palace site left from the Unified Silla period.
The coastal city of Gangneung is a super starting point for exploring the northeastern part of South Korea, which is known for its stunning natural beauty. Known as the K-WAVE, this well-rounded tour features everything a visitor needs to know about K-Culture.
Explore K-pop filming locations alongside the historical and cultural heritage of Korea through The DMZ Museum. Guests on this adventure also will see Neungpadae, an impressive formation of “swiss-cheese” or honeycomb rock along the coast of Yukgyedo.
Located in South Korea, this vibrant city features a rich history, stunning architecture and modern amenities. Guests enjoy a unique blend of tradition and contemporary charm and will explore Suwon‘s UNESCO World Heritage Site during their tour, along with Yeonmudae Post, a military observation point with sweeping views, and Nammun Market, a globally renowned premium market that offers the Royal Market Tour. The temporary palace of Hwaseong Haenggung also is a tour highlight with its 576 rooms and unmissed grandeur.
Feed small animals and photograph natural surroundings with a visit to Anseong Farmland. The activity is perfect for families and is coupled with a jaunt to Starfield, one of the region’s largest shopping malls that hosts a flurry of popular restaurants and name brand shopping experiences.
Visit Korean drama filming locations during this full day tour of Pocheon. Stop at Pocheon Art Valley, the popular location for Korean television programs, and visit natural forests and lakes at Korea National Arboretum. Round-trip transportation from your hotel is available.
Korea’s largest theme park never disappoints when it comes to experiencing K-Culture! From the colorful parasols in Aesop’s Umbrella Alley to the zombies on the Horror T Express, this theme park in Seoul features the best thrills and chills in this year’s Visit Korea lineup. Shows like Panda Musical and Happy Halloween Party Parade add to this park’s allure.
How to get there: free shuttle buses are available at Jeondae-Everland Station in Seoul.
Your Seoul Lotte World tour is a ticket to experiencing South Korea’s top theme park. Located in the heart of Seoul, the amusement park features Magic Island, with outdoor rides like Comet Express and Atlantis, and indoor entertainment at Lotte World Adventure, where visitors can catch shows and parades, as well as sample delectable cuisines. Shopping sprees at Lotte World Mall and learning about Korean history at the Folk Museum also are must-do activities while at Seoul Lotte World. And don’t forget Lotte World Aquarium. The largest indoor aquarium in South Korea houses 650 species of marine life and an underwater tunnel!
Plan to spend at least two hours meeting exotic sea life, like sharks and penguins, in South Korea’s largest aquarium. With 14 subaquatic habitats hosting more than 40,000 creatures, the aquarium offers unique opportunities to get up close and personal with life under water. Pet manta rays at Mangrove & Beach, and meet the residents of Penguins’ Playground during this well-rounded adventure from the ocean floor and up!
Visit LEGOLAND Korea in Gangwondo for a roller coaster ride and a day you’ll never forget! The largest LEGOLAND in Asia features a wide range of indoor and outdoor activities. Explore themed areas like Bricktopia, LEGO city and Pirate Shores, and don’t forget your LEGO souvenir from the treasure hunt! A variety of dining options are available throughout the park.
Depart from Seoul on this charming, round-trip day tour that lets you stroll through Nami Island’s tree-lined pathways, visit the Petite France and Italian Village and explore plant species in the Garden of Morning Calm. Lunch not included in the price of this tour, but travelers may bring their own lunch or dine at any Nami Island restaurant.
*Group members who want to participate in the Nami Island Skyline ZipWire should notify the tour host in advance. Additional fees apply.
“Visit Korea Year” will extend from 2023 through 2024, with events, festivals, and discount promotions for visitors. Please visit the “Visit Korea Year” website for dates and details.
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At Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, visitors can explore the future of technology and experience global food cultures as they tour pavilions from around the world. A major highlight of the expo is its diverse food offerings—from international cuisine served in expansive food halls to pavilions showcasing the best of their national dishes. To enrich this […]
Surrounded by verdant mountains and splendid seas, Hyogo is a treasure trove of premium ingredients for gourmet cuisine. While Kobe beef stands out, Hyogo is also home to seafood such as Kasumi red snow crab, Akashi sea bream, and Awaji conger eel, which have legions of devoted fans. Here, we introduce some must-try delicacies when visiting Hyogo.
Only about 2 hours and 20 minutes by JR Limited Express from Kyoto—no transfers required—lies the easily accessible hot spring resort of Kinosaki Onsen. Alongside Kinosaki, Yumura Onsen is considered one of the two major onsen destinations in the Tajima area. Surrounded by stunning natural landscapes, the region is blessed with fresh seafood from the Sea of Japan and mountain delicacies nurtured by beautiful forests and pristine waters.
Himeji is home to romantic ancient castle ruins and Buddhist temples with over a thousand years of history, many of which have been featured in classic films. Embrace your imagination as you embark on a journey that lets you step into the shoes of characters from famous films.
Awaji Island is located in the eastern part of the Seto Inland Sea. Despite its small size, it’s easily accessible and dotted with numerous tourist spots, making it a popular destination among visitors in recent years. The island is perfect for a drive, as you can circle it in about four hours by car. Read on as we introduce some of the island’s must-see spots.
Located just over two hours from Kyoto by express train, Toyooka City in northern Hyogo Prefecture is a haven of natural beauty, fully designated as part of the San’in Kaigan UNESCO Global Geopark. With its pristine blue seas, dazzling white beaches, and fascinating geological formations writ with Earth’s history, Hyogo offers an abundance of scenic spots and year-round activities where you can immerse yourself in nature.
Hyogo Prefecture is home to one of Japan’s oldest pilgrimage routes, the Saikoku Kannon Pilgrimage. The core values that form the foundation of the Japanese spirit—respect for manners and a deep appreciation for things—have been nurtured through the nature and people encountered along this pilgrimage.
Hyogo Prefecture offers awe-inspiring sights: a towering wooden castle with a pristine white facade, the dazzling “million-dollar” night view, and one of the world’s largest whirlpools. These extraordinary vistas showcase the harmonious interplay of nature’s artistry, the ingenuity of past generations, and the dedication of those who preserve them today. Visit the “Castle in the […]
Hyogo Prefecture, located near Kyoto and Osaka, is home to popular tourist destinations such as Kobe and Himeji Castle, which draw many international visitors. The region offers a variety of English-guided tours, enabling travelers to connect deeply with the local community and culture. This article highlights local travel experiences that celebrate the unique culture of […]
Hyogo Prefecture, nestled between mountains and sea, boasts cities with unique identities, from the cosmopolitan port city of Kobe to the historic hot spring town of Arima at the foot of Mount Rokko, one of Japan’s famed 100 mountains (hyaku meizan). Beyond their distinct charm, these towns are home to the cultural origins that have […]
Hyogo Prefecture, blessed with a plethora of diverse landscapes, is often called a “microcosm of Japan.” Offering unique travel experiences that immerse visitors in the region’s distinct ecosystems, culture, and cuisine, the journey outlined below takes you through globally rare stork habitats to sensory Zen retreats and farm-to-table restaurants on Awaji Island to enjoy while […]
Just 12 minutes by Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka lies Shin-Kobe, a station steeped in history. Over time, the area became a hub for foreign residents, quickly adopting Western culture—an influence that extended to the neighboring city of Takarazuka, earning its reputation as a town of culture and arts. Indeed, Hyogo Prefecture’s Kobe-Kitano, Sannomiya, and Takarazuka are picturesque at every turn, making them a hit with influencers. Over two days, we explored some of their top spots as selected by photographers.
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A short boat ride from Himeji brings you to Ieshima, a tranquil fishing town where boats bob in the harbor and the day’s catch is displayed beneath seaside eaves. Wander sunlit lanes, greeted by friendly locals and lounging cats, and soon you’ll feel at home in island life. Cross the water again to Naoshima, where contemporary art and bold architecture transform the landscape, blending the everyday with the extraordinary in the heart of the Seto Inland Sea.
Crossing the tranquil Seto Inland Sea leads to Shodoshima, an island where salt and fermentation have shaped centuries of soy-sauce making. Here, the aroma of koikuchi soy sauce, brewed in wooden vats for over 400 years, mingles with the legacy of usukuchi soy sauce from Tatsuno, reflecting the delicate flavors essential to Kyoto cuisine. This journey invites you to experience Japan’s fermentation culture through its rich tastes, scents, and artisanal traditions.
When you travel, every dish you encounter reflects the land and culture from which it comes. In recent years, gastronomy tourism, a journey that explores not only cuisine itself but also the stories behind it, has been attracting attention worldwide. This time, the journey takes us to Kyoto, home to the refined art of lacquerware, and to Tamba-Sasayama in Hyogo Prefecture, renowned for its Tamba pottery. Guided by the Japanese sensibility of hare (the extraordinary) and ke (the everyday), we explore the rich world where food and tableware intertwine.
In the San’in region, red snow crab season opens in autumn, followed by Matsuba snow crab in winter – prime time for crab-focused trips. One of the hub towns is Hamasaka in Hyogo Prefecture, the only place in Japan where “crab sommeliers” host your meal, offering a singular dining experience found nowhere else. Using the hot-spring town of Hamasaka as a base, set off on a grand rail journey toward the Tottori Sand Dunes, taking in the dynamic vistas of the San’in Kaigan UNESCO Global Geopark along the way.
Hyogo Prefecture is famed for its scenic rail journeys. Among them, one of the most popular is the Tango AO-MATSU Train, which lets travelers explore both Hyogo and Kyoto while staying in the historic hot-spring town of Kinosaki Onsen. The journey begins in Kinosaki Onsen, about two and a half hours from Kobe, Osaka, or Kyoto by limited express train—a trip that connects hot springs, fine sake, and breathtaking views of the Sea of Japan.
Jun’ichiro Tanizaki, one of Japan’s foremost literary figures, vividly explored the “beauty of shadow” that dwells within Japanese architecture and daily life in his 1933 essay In Praise of Shadows. He wrote that the true essence of Japanese beauty lies not in brightness, but in the subtle interplay of light and shadow—the moon filtering through trees, the soft glow behind a shoji paper screen, the dim reflections upon lacquerware. One of the places that shaped Tanizaki’s aesthetic sensibility was Kyoto, the ancient capital. The quiet shadows that inhabit its temples and gardens deepened his literary world. Another retreat he frequented was Arima Onsen in Hyogo Prefecture.
